Ross: It looks like the ‘tourists’ were up to something after all
Jan 14, 2022, 5:35 AM | Updated: 10:27 am
Stewart Rhodes, founder of Oath Keepers, speaks during a gun rights rally in Hartford, Conn., in April 2013. Rhodes has been arrested and charged with seditious conspiracy in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. (AP Photo/Journal Inquirer, Jared Ramsdell, File)
(AP Photo/Journal Inquirer, Jared Ramsdell, File)
Every American should read the Justice Department indictment of the Oath Keepers who participated in the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol.
Whether you call it a riot, an uprising, or an insurrection, I think you’ll see that anybody who would describe these people as “patriots” or “tourists” didn’t know what they were really up to.
It turns out the Oath Keepers had a plan of attack – based on (believe it or not) the Serbian revolution! Ironic, since the Serbian revolution was about overthrowing a war criminal and RESTORING democracy. Not sabotaging it.
The indictments show that the Oath Keepers deliberately decided not to bring any guns to the Capitol. Instead, they set up “Quick Reaction Forces” a few miles away, which had plenty of guns and would be ready to move in as the chaos was unfolding. Fortunately, they never did.
You’ll see that the Oath Keepers talked a lot of F-word-man-talk, but they also did more than just talk.
One of the indictments describes how Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes set off for D.C. on Jan. 1, after spending approximately $5,000 on a shotgun, scope, magazines, sights, optics, a bipod, a mount, a case of ammunition, and gun cleaning supplies. Then, on Jan. 3, as he traveled through Texas, he spent about $6,000 on an AR-style rifle, along with more sights, mounts, triggers, and slings.
Then, in Mississippi on Jan. 4 – about $4,500 on still more sights, another magazine, and various parts. Others were also gathering weapons.
His group then rented rooms in Arlington, Virginia, at the Comfort Inn, where they would store their little arsenal.
But of course, the big question is – does any of this point to Donald Trump? Sorry to disappoint those of you who were hoping it would, but the indictment shows that as far as Rhodes was concerned, Trump was AWOL.
On Jan. 6, when Mr. Rhodes was inside the Capitol, he posted a message to his leadership chat room: “All I see Trump doing is complaining. I see no intent by him to do anything. So the patriots are taking it into their own hands. They’ve had enough.”
Elmer Stewart Rhodes III, who went to the Capitol looking for glory — now stands charged with seditious conspiracy.
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